The total number of rats and mice used in Australian scientific research has been tallied for the first time. The Australian and New Zealand Council for the Care of Animals in Research and Teaching (ANZCCART) has collected 2024 data from across the states and territories to find nearly 1,200,000 mice and nearly 47,000 rats were used that year, primarily for human and animal health research and to improve our understanding of how the body works. ANZCCART says it's important that this information is available to improve public trust in science, and make sure the public has accurate information on the welfare of the animals used for scientific research.